Chapter 878: Eliminating Remaining Thoughts

"Eliminate the 'Yu Nian' in your heart?"

Bai Yang's brow furrowed slightly upon hearing this, as if he couldn't grasp the meaning of the words.

"Yes, child," Tong Ayi nodded. "As long as you can cast aside the Yu Nian in your heart, you will surely receive the blessing of Mu Shen."

Bai Yang's expression grew even more complex, as if there were many things he couldn't figure out. It wasn't just him—I felt confused by Tong Ayi's words too.

After a long pause, Bai Yang finally spoke up:

"So, people usually say 'eliminate distracting thoughts,' but why do you say 'eliminate Yu Nian'?"

"Child, 'distracting thoughts' is the same as 'Yu Nian'," Tong Ayi explained patiently.

"Since 'distracting thoughts' is the same as 'Yu Nian,' why avoid a common expression and choose this rare one?"

"Child... Once you've encountered many religions, you'll realize that 'distracting thoughts' isn't accurate. It doesn't convey the full meaning that 'Yu Nian' does."

"Then, in your view, what does 'distracting thoughts' refer to, and what does 'Yu Nian' refer to?" Bai Yang asked again.

Jiang Ruo Xue and I gradually found ourselves unable to join the conversation. The exchange between Bai Yang and Tong Ayi was veering into strange territory.

No... It didn't even seem like a conversation anymore.

It was more like some kind of "debate on principles."

"Child, you have a strong thirst for knowledge—that's a very valuable quality," Tong Ayi said kindly to Bai Yang. "Literally speaking, 'distracting thoughts' means 'impure or negative thoughts.' But 'Yu Nian' doesn't imply that; it refers to 'remaining thoughts' or 'superfluous thoughts.'"

"I don't understand," Bai Yang said. "If 'eliminating Yu Nian' means 'getting rid of all thoughts in your heart,' how could anyone succeed like that?"

"'Without desires or pursuits'—isn't that the greatest success?" Tong Ayi replied. "In this world, everyone who's striving is ultimately aiming for 'without desires or pursuits.' Do you believe that?"

"What about people who want to make money?" Bai Yang asked. "Is their ultimate goal also 'without desires or pursuits'?"

"Making money is to buy what they need," Tong Ayi answered. "Once they've earned enough and bought everything they require, they'll reach a state of 'without desires or pursuits.'"

"What about people who seek pleasure?" Bai Yang pressed.

"Those who seek pleasure are after more enjoyment. Once they've experienced all the joy the world has to offer, they won't crave it anymore and will enter a state of 'without desires or pursuits.'"

"What about people who just want to stay alive?"

"It's the same, child," Tong Ayi said with a smile. "If someone truly achieves 'without desires or pursuits,' living or dying is just a state. Those who eliminate distracting thoughts won't fear death or feel loss at leaving the world."

"Absurd," Bai Yang said. "If a person casts aside all thoughts, they're no different from a corpse. If they want nothing and do nothing, how can they even be called a person?"

"Child..." Tong Ayi's eyes took on a look of pity. "The reason you think that way is because you can't let go of all your 'Yu Nian.' You've never experienced 'without desires or pursuits,' so you don't understand."

"I truly don't," Bai Yang said. "If everyone here has no desires as you describe, it seems to me they're not transcending anything—they're just resigning themselves. The existence of Zhong Yan Zhi Di is built on lies and errors. The more they're oppressed, the more we must resist."

"So... Is that why you can't let go of your 'Yu Nian'?" Tong Ayi asked.

"Yes," Bai Yang nodded. "'Distracting thoughts' I've already cast aside, but 'Yu Nian' I can't. I need to keep one pure thought to keep moving forward."

"Ah..." Tong Ayi shook her head with a smile, looking at him as if he were a wayward child.

"If you're here to help me, I'll find a way to repay you someday," Bai Yang added. "If you're trying to convince me to give up for some reason, I suggest you leave now."

"Everyone in this world has their own choices—how could I convince you to give up?" Tong Ayi shook her head with a laugh. "I'm just worried that your 'Yu Nian' might turn into 'obsession,' driving you mad in this hellish place. Even so, you won't give up?"

"Yes," Bai Yang nodded. "It's either madness or destruction—I probably only have those two paths."

Tong Ayi shook her head again, reaching out to place her hand on Bai Yang's chest. "Child, if you can't make your Yu Nian 'disappear,' then try to make it 'settle' instead."

"Settled...?"

"A settled and strong Yu Nian can still take you to the end," Tong Ayi said. "Mu Shen will protect you."

"So, what exactly is 'Mu Shen'?" Bai Yang asked. "Is it some god you worship?"

"Some...?" Tong Ayi smiled kindly. "Child, Mu Shen is everything. She is the beginning of all things and the destined future. She exists in this land and in the outside world."

"That sounds all-powerful. So where is she now?" Bai Yang said. "I'm speaking lightly of her—will she come out and punish me?"

"Of course not," Tong Ayi replied. "We are all children of Mu Shen. Even if she were displeased with your words, she wouldn't truly be angry. She loves you, and I can clearly feel Mu Shen's compassion."

Bai Yang seemed a bit interested in what Tong Ayi was saying, but then he noticed the two necklaces hanging around her neck, and his gaze turned stern again.

"Does your 'Mu Shen' know you've betrayed her?" Bai Yang asked.

"Betrayed...?" Tong Ayi chuckled at his words, then touched the prayer beads and cross on her neck. "Are you talking about these two? How could that be betrayal?"

"A loyal servant doesn't serve two masters," Bai Yang said. "If you're promoting your 'Mu Shen' here, you shouldn't follow other religions."

"But we are all children of Mu Shen," Tong Ayi said again. "As I've said, Mu Shen is everything in the world. If she allows these religions to exist, that means she approves of me following them. Only by embracing all the powerful religions in the world can I faintly sense Mu Shen's will... Child... I'm not betraying her; I'm doing everything I can to draw closer to her."

"Alright," Bai Yang nodded helplessly. "Your logic holds up for you, and I have nothing more to say. But if your 'Mu Shen' can't help me, then to me, she's no different from a corpse on the street."